Six months after first getting wind that child sex abuse materials had been shared from an IP address belonging to Josh Duggar, federal authorities made their move to raid the disgraced reality star's workplace.
According to testimony by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agents Howard Aycock and Gerald Faulkner, Duggar seemed to already have an inkling why they were there when they arrived. He waived his Miranda rights and agreed to talk to the agents without an attorney present. The interview took place in the agents' van.
"Mr. Duggar turned in his chair, facing me and Mr. Aycock, and asked, 'Is this about someone downloading child pornography?'" Faulkner testified, although the defense argued the convenience of this portion of the conversation happening before audio recordings began.
Once the recordings did start, Duggar was careful about what he said and how he said it.
"I've watched my friends answer things and they get 'em," he said in the recording.
"Statutes are broad."
While the prosecution argues that Duggar used sophisticated means of partitioning his computer and accessing the dark web to allegedly commit these crimes, the defense argues that it is beyond his technological capabilities. The defense has also alluded to the many others who had access to the computers at the used car lot, though Duggar himself said that primarily his wife and children used the devices aside from himself.
Back in the audio recordings, investigators leveled with Duggar regarding the scope of their investigation.
"So is that what you're saying is going on?" he said when they told him of their investigation of child exploitation.
"What is the scope? Is there going on on my devices?"
Prosecutors have also taken to laying out other means that have indicated Duggar was the one using the devices at the time the materials were accessed and shared. They believe they can connect Duggar to the devices using known passwords he used, including ones using his own name, text message patterns, and even photos.
In the audio recording, Duggar appears nervous but respectful of the authorities.
"Appreciate what you guys do," he replied to their emphasis that they weren't trying to speculate about conclusions at that point in the physical investigation.
"I don't want to say that I'm guilty or not of accessing inappropriate content at some point of my life."
The trial is expected to last five to six days. All eyes are on Duggar, as it is now said that two of his siblings were listed as possibly testifying in the trial. Jed Duggar works at the lot with his brother.
Jill Duggar may also testify. Jill is a significant choice because she has been arguably the most vocal of the Duggar sisters who were molested by Josh during childhood. Jill and husband Derick, who was seen in the courtroom during the trial's second day, have discussed Jill as an abuse victim on their YouTube channel.
Jill has opened up about teaching her sons about their bodies and sex to keep them and others safe.
"We definitely want our kids also to have the ability to protect themselves so that’s another aspect of it," she told Us Weekly of the decision.
"Knowledge is power and you would be amazed at kids just learning about their body at the right time."
